Rural Infrastructure Challenge Summit

The Rural Infrastructure Challenge Summit is an in-person mentoring event and workshop to inspire the next-generation of solvers in rural communities. Involving students in real world challenges for rural communities is one step towards developing new creative solutions – such as identifying new business models, simplifying regulatory processes, and designing new technology that meets the needs of rural communities. Please join us as we take this step together.

This effort is part of the Public Interest Technology University Network, which is focused on increasing collaboration to nurture civic-minded technologists who can address the societal impacts of technologies.

• REGISTER by 9/4: https://cvent.me/aEQvL3
• WHEN: Friday, September 13th from 11am-4pm
  • Mingle & Mentor (M&M) Fair (lunch is provided for all registrants): 11am-12:30pm
    • Participants include energy consultants, government representatives, municipal utilities, co-ops, and more …
  • Energy Resilience Workshop: 12:30-3pm
    • AGENDA
  • Closing Reception: 3-4pm
• WHERE: Innovation Forum, Missouri S&T
• WHO: Faculty, students, industry professionals, and rural residents

On September 13th, we will focus our discussion on the design of energy resilience training and technical assistance in rural communities. The Missouri Local Training and Resource Center is in the early stages of developing this training and needs input on who to target, what to focus on, and how to deliver this program. We believe that new and bold ideas will emerge from this workshop by creating a space for experts to share the challenges and constraints they see in the real world while our students provide a fresh and energized perspective.

This event has two components that you can participate in:

• Mingle & Mentor (M&M) Fair: Local private and public organizations working in energy resilience and rural communities will be available to answer questions and discuss their career path, job opportunities, research collaborations, and ongoing challenges in the industry. Lunch will be provided for all registered attendees.
• Energy Resilience Workshop: Professionals and students will work together to refine our collective understanding of energy resilience and the particular challenges in rural communities. In a series of facilitated activities, we will collaborate on a vision for an energy resilience training and technical assistance program. All participants are invited to stay for the closing reception.

Why should you attend?

• Students: Gain professional connections, meet potential mentors, and learn about opportunities to make a difference in the energy industry and public sector. Workshop participants will also get hands-on experience scoping an energy resilience program and can earn credit towards a Badge of Entrepreneurial Excellence.
• Professionals: Identify potential recruits, mentor future leaders, connect with faculty, and inform the design of a new energy resilience training and technical assistance program. We will provide honoraria to cover the cost of your travel and time.
• Faculty: Connect with potential research collaborators, learn about real world challenges for energy resilience in rural communities, and identify problems to solve.
• Rural Residents: Mentor future leaders and inform the design of a new energy resilience training and technical assistance program. We will provide honoraria to cover the cost of your travel and time.

This effort is being funded as part of the Public Interest Technology University Network by New America, a think and action tank focused on complex public problems, via the Ford Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Mastercard Impact Fund, and with support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Schmidt Futures and The Siegel Family Endowment.